Microtheme 1 In The Things They Carried there is a comparison between the items of physical weight that the soldiers

carry and the weight of their emotional and psychological burdens. In the text it discusses the emotional baggage of each man, the grief, terror, and love as intangibles, but of having tangible weight. This reveals that the weights associated with the emotional burdens are far greater than that of the physical items. The items that they physically carry can be disposed of, but emotional burdens are carried for life. I believe that the freedom birds represent death and the freedom from all weights, physical and emotional. Freedom birds are described as the point where weights fall off; and where there is nothing left to bear. I do not think that emotional weights are completely disposed of until death. Even though Jimmy burns Marthas pictures and letters I do not think he will fully extinguish her from his mind until he dies. After he burned her photographs his memory could still see her playing volleyball. This reveals that she is forever in his mind. The guilt Jimmy now has over Teds death and the resentment towards Martha are just an added burden he must now carry. The statement Lavender was dead. You couldnt burn the blame, signifies that he could rid himself of the physical items, but the psychological items will never leave his memory. In the beginning of the story Jimmy associates Martha with weightlessness, thus portrayed by the fantasy he has of her carrying the pebble in her breast pocket, where it seemed weightless. It is not until after Ted Lavenders death that he begins to associate her with weight and as a burden, thus shifting from a pebble to a stone. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross begins to place the blame of Ted Lavenders death on himself and his imagination. He is a Lieutenant and believes his duty is to protect his men. He comes to the realization that he must shut down his day dreams. I do not think that it will be an easy task for Jimmy to halt his daydreams. When you care for someone for so long it is difficult to eliminate them from your thoughts. Microtheme 2 In The Smells of Home, the theme of freedom is presented. Freedom means different things to different individuals. For Savitri, Freedom is England and the light and care free life that Wadsworth presents in his poetry. Avinash brings up the notion that America is freedom, which Savitri disagrees with. America to her is falling into her culturally expected gender role of being a good wife. I think Avinash views America as a place of freedom because to him America is the place where he can be his true self. When he is in India he loses his freedom due to the cultural expectations he must follow. His mother is constantly pestering him to get married, something he continually puts off. Avinashs mother says, Good family and education is what we value. Avis father was a renowned professor you know-he wrote three books. This presents the notion that Avinash is expected to follow in his fathers footsteps. His mother wants him to have a strong family and a fulfilling career, thus culturally, he has no freedom. The idea of freedom is also presented when Avinash tells Savitri, If you didnt know how to drive here you were a prisoner. This shows that even though America is seen as the land of opportunity, it still presents limitations. This brings up the idea that no one is truly free. Everyone carries expectations about how their life should be led, whether it comes from a cultural, national, or familial influence.

When Savitri recites the Indian spices, she uses them as a way to escape from reality. As much as she desires to leave India, she begins to realize that as much freedom as she has gained, India will always be home. The pain she feels after finding out her husband is gay pushes Savitri to leave reality momentarily to venture to the land where she has always been safe, India. The Guest also portrays the theme of freedom. Daru is expected to escort the prisoner to Tinguit. Initially, he has all the freedom in the matter because he holds the choice to take the prisoner to Tinguit or to safety. Daru then decides to place the choice in the Prisoners hands. The prisoner now has the power to decide which way he will go and the life path he will follow; this removes Daru from his obligation. The world allows individuals the freedom of choice, but often times the right choice can seem blurry. I believe that freedom gives life meaning. By giving every human the right to choose their own course of action, they are able to find value within their life. The world is often presented as an uncaring place that expects people to make choices even when they are unsure which choice is correct. When people give up the right to choose, as Daru did, they often suffer. Daru becomes angry that the prisoner did not choose the path to freedom, the choice that Daru would have made. When an individual gives up the right to choose, he loses his freedom and his fate falls into the hands of the world. The prisoner also wrestles with the choice before him, prison or freedom. He questions whether he is guilty of his crime or not. The prisoner never fully describes what actions he took against his cousin and the cause for them, so as the reader, I am also uncertain of the right choice and whether he is guilty or innocent. Freedom has different meanings for all people. Freedom may be the ability to present your true self to the world or the ability to choose your own life path. In both stories, freedom presents itself as a need for every human being to make themselves a home in this seemingly uncaring world. The way this is achieved is through the power of the individuals choice. Avinash made himself a home in America, although he lost a sense of his freedom when he made the choice to marry Savitri, a choice that was not his own but his mothers. The prisoner made his own independent choice to walk the path to prison, although he will inevitably lose his freedom once he enters the prison doors. Everyone has the freedom to choose, but sometimes the choices we make result in a loss of freedom. Which brings the question is anyone truly free? Microtheme 3 A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, presents the idea that each person carries a personal narrative through their life that guides their opinions of others. When individuals fail to fit into the mold of the dominant human narrative, they are shown little respect and are not understood by others. Throughout the story, each town member presents a different narrative of the angel. The old woman views the angel as a castaway because of his fallen body, thus a fallen angel. In the town, the old woman portrays herself as an expert and keeper of all knowledge. Due to her extreme knowledge, the town turns to her for an explanation for what the angel is, although her views may be false. When people fail to have an open mind towards people and issues within the world, they begin to believe that their mental portrayal of an individual or issue is the only way in which it can be viewed. The various narratives within the story show the difficulty each individual has with determining what the angel is. This is due to the angels failure to fit completely within the narrative boundaries they have set. The priests narrative presents the angel as an imposter because he is unable to recognize the language of God. Thus, the Priest bases his assumptions

and opinions of the angel on his own personal narrative and spiritual background. Elisenda and Pelayo fence in their backyard and charge money for townspeople to view the spectacle, that of the angel. This illustrates that Elisenda and Pelayo guide their lives with a sense of greed. Elisenda and Pelayo fail to see that their childs health improves as the angel gets well, thus this narrative presents the angel as a guardian. In a sense, their own desires for riches and their own personal narratives blind them to the aid the angel brings. Elisenda views the angel as an annoyance in her life and does not appreciate what he brings her, the health of her child and a new home. The various narratives within the story view the mans wings as an inconvenience. If the man did not have wings, the townspeople could portray him as they wish and fit him into the mold of their own personal narratives. The wings present themselves as an obstacle to the narrative of the people because the mans grandfather like body does not fit their mental image of what an angel should be. The ideas present in the story are seen in the world today. Each person carries his own personal narrative or biases about how things should be or who people are. When people fail to keep an open mind, they fail to embrace and appreciate the diversity within the world. Often times individuals personal narratives blind them from the joy and reward another person can bring. Just as Elisenda and Pelayos narratives shield them from the true gift the angel brings, their childs health. Microtheme 4 Fahrenheit 451 presents the theme of knowledge versus ignorance. The firemen carry the dominant narrative that knowledge from literature can promote freedom and power, thus they must destroy it. The knowledge one can gain from reading can allow an individual to become aware of his lack of freedom, and due to this awareness the government may be required to relinquish control. The firemen in Fahrenheit 451 fear books because their primary goal is to bring equality among the residents of the town and books only increase the knowledge gap between the residents. In a sense, the firemen promote the idea that the government should contain all the knowledge and control, and the residents should be left ignorant. Montag follows the dominant narrative of the firemen until he comes into contact with Clarisse. Clarisse exposes him to literature for the first time and he feels a sense of freedom. Montag begins to create his own narrative for his life that involves the accumulation of knowledge. The quote he reads by David Copperfield, Be the hero or will someone else determine ones life course, promotes the idea that people must form a narrative for their life, without interference from the government and others. People should be skeptical of the dominant narrative and not always take it as truth. The idea of a dominant narrative is also present in A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. The story is full of various narratives in regards to the angel, which the characters take as truth. Just as the angel is shown little respect when he does not fit the mold of the dominant narrative, the anti-socials in Fahrenheit 451 are killed or imprisoned because their love of knowledge does not fit the mold set by the government. The angels wings in Avery Old Man with Enormous Wings, serves as an inconvenience to the townspeople because without wings they are able to mold him to fit their own personal narrative. Knowledge in Fahrenheit 451 is viewed as an inconvenience because it eliminates unity and equality among the residents. The removal of knowledge allows the residents to serve as the governments puppets and be brainwashed to fit inside their dominant

narrative. In a sense, knowledge is freedom and the government fears that an increase in residents intelligence will result in the loss of governmental power.

Microtheme 5 Power Equilibrium- emotions are banned, thus giving the government power over citizens because anyone who feels is considered a criminal Fahrenheit 451- books are banned, The party wants to eliminate the possibility of an increase in citizens power and they believe knowledge is power 1984- Thoughts are banned, When the Party has control over the mind they are able to manipulate it as they please Equilibrium and Fahrenheit 451 the party desires psychological control, where 1984 desires control of the mind and in turn this will lead to control over the body

Control Equilibrium the people are controlled by Prozium, an anti- emotion drug Fahrenheit 451- Pills of various colors, ex. Yellow pills that cause a varied range of emotions from hunger to happiness 1984- The Party controls via telescreens and thought police 1984- The Party controls history, the past, present, and future through the alteration of historical events

Character similarities Montag and Preston are pawns of the party, who later choose to rebel after knowledge of the party is presented to them, combined with a female characters urges (Mary and Clarisse) The underground in Equilibrium is similar to the resistance against the Party in 1984 that Winston desires to be a part of. Although in 1984 we are unsure whether Goldstein and his opposition actually do exist.

The Dangers of Totalitarianism Equilibrium- people are unable to feel and have freedom over their own lives, which is similar to 1984 and how Winston is forbidden to have feelings such as love and freedom of thought Father is a similar character to Big Brother- both do not actually exist but serve as the face for the party because it is easier to pledge allegiance to someone without knowing their true personality

Psychological Alterations In 1984 the party desires to eliminate relationships among everyone, husband/ wife, parent/ child, etc. and eliminate the emotion of love The party in 1984 desires to one day control emotions, thus the suppression of emotions done in Equilibrium is what the Party in 1984 wants to do one day.

Control of Language 1984- The Party controls language through the formation of Newspeak and a dictionary to accompany it Fahrenheit 451- The fire fighters destroy literature because they believe it increases knowledge and if citizens increase their knowledge they could overthrow the government Equilibrium- The Party destroys artwork, literature, animals anything that evokes emotion within the citizens Language has the ability to increase thought, emotions, and knowledge all of which must be controlled in order for the party to persist.

Outsiders 1984- The proles have a sense of freedom from the thought police and Winston believes they have the ability to overthrow the Party Equilibrium- individuals who feel are destroyed through combustion because the Party seeks to create an emotion free city Fahrenheit 451- The insiders are considered the family and regard each other as cousins There is always an inner party who has sole control of the people

Microtheme 6 In Nineteen Eighty- four, George Orwell uses multiple symbols to present the novels major theme of power. Big Brother serves as the main symbol of the Party and its power. Throughout Oceania, the citizens are constantly presented with posters and images of Big Brother, but they are unable to determine whether Big Brother exists or not. Winston wrestles with the reality of the existence of Big Brother. I do not think that Big Brother exists, but rather is a face that the Party associates with themselves. The Party does not want the average citizen of Oceania to know this, and this truth presents itself when Winston questions OBrien about Big Brother, and he chooses to evade the question. It is much easier for a person to pledge allegiance and obey the power of one person, rather than an elite group. By portraying Big Brothers face throughout the town, the citizens are able to associate their devotion and love with an image. Without Big Brother, I do not think the party could brainwash Oceanias citizens as it wishes. The Party uses telescreens as a tool to demonstrate their power. Telescreens symbolize how totalitarian governments abuse technology to further their own goals, instead of improving the living standards of their citizens. The telescreens play a dual role in the lives of the citizens

of Oceania. The Party is able to view and hear what is going on in a room and this takes away any privacy of the citizens. The telescreens can also be used as a source of power for the Party that allows them to be able to display their propaganda. Winston lives in fear of the telescreen and is inevitably taken by its power. Technology is expanding at a rapid rate today and computers and cameras that once were used for good, may one day be used for evil. Cameras can become instruments that the government may one day use to gain power over citizens. If the Party or the telescreens were able to gain power over individuals emotions, they would be able to better control their actions. I think that many peoples actions reflect their emotions. This is reflected through the love between Julia and Winston. If the Party had power over emotions such as love, thought crime would most likely not exist. Throughout the novel, Winston constantly dreams of a world before the Party and a world of freedom. The Golden Country and St. Clements Church serve as symbols of freedom and remnants of the past before the Party. Since the rise of the Party, St. Clements church has been transformed from a church into a museum. This symbolizes the Partys power over the past, present, and future and their ability to alter it as they wish. I think it is also symbolic that the telescreen is hidden behind the portrait of St. Clements church. Periodically, Winston remembers a few verses of the song based upon this church. The Party alters the verses to here comes the chopper to chop off you head to foreshadow the inevitable destruction of Winston and other thought criminals. Even when citizens believe they are invisible to the Party, as Winston felt in Mr. Charringtons shop, the Party presents itself as an omnipresent being. The Golden Country is presented in Winstons dream involving Julia. Winston sees Julia discard her clothes in a carefree manner this represents uninhibited behavior without a care for rules or regulations. This dream gives Winston the notion that Big Brother and the Party could be eliminated and that there is hope for the future and mankind. The Golden Country is also mentioned when Julia and Winston meet for the first time and Winston feels that their location in the woods resembles the Golden Country in his dream. With this feeling and the way in which Julia acts, Winston begins to believe that a collapse of the Party can actually occur. The final mention of the Golden Country is when Winston is being cured in the Ministry of Love, it is presented in a dream again, but this time there are more people present, even OBrien. At this point Winston views OBrien as his savior and he comes to realize that a place such as the Golden Country does not exist and never will. His only desire now is to be with his loved ones, especially his mother. The paperweight also symbolizes the freedom that Julia and Winston have romantically during their time at Mr. Charringtons. The coral inside represents the love between Julia and Winston and initially it is protected by the glass exterior. The coral paperweight could also represent that all along the Party knew of the romantic interactions between Julia and Winston. Although the coral was protected by the exterior glass, the glass was transparent, thus visible to the Party and telescreen. When the thought police arrest Julia and Winston, the paperweight shatters. This illustrates that the love between Julia and Winston and the life they knew is destroyed and would never occur again. George Orwell uses various symbols throughout the novel to present his themes associated with power and the dangers of a totalitarian state. Many symbols are used to foreshadow the fate of Winston and the indestructibility of the Party.